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Entertainment·The Trace·Automated dual reading·Published 2026-07-12

UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI

Actors have voted to refuse digital scanning to prevent their likeness being used by artificial intelligence in a pushback against AI in the arts. Members of the performing arts union Equity were asked if they would refuse to be scanned while on set, a common practice in which actors’ likeness is captured for future use – with 99% voting in favour of the move. The general secretary, Paul Fleming, said: “Artificial intelligence is a generation-defining challenge. And for the first time in a generation, Equity’s film

TRV-2026-0080JournalismPermanent record — cite & verify
Trace impact reading

Negative state: both sides are scored from claims and sources, not community votes.

P 60The P score combines the specificity and measured human impact of the problem claim, the strength of this Trace’s sources, and problem-side source support across the same sector.G 51The G score combines the specificity and measured human impact of the gain claim, the strength of this Trace’s sources, and gain-side source support across the same sector.
UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI
The quick read

Actors have voted to refuse digital scanning to prevent their likeness being used by artificial intelligence in a pushback against AI in the arts. Members of the performing arts union Equity were asked if they would refuse to be scanned while on set, a common practice in which actors’ likeness is captured for future use, with 99% voting in favour of the move.

The general secretary, Paul Fleming, said: “Artificial intelligence is a generation-defining challenge. This shows that the workforce is willing to significantly disrupt production unless they are respected, and [if] decades of erosion in terms and conditions begins to be reversed.” The vote was an indicative ballot designed to demonstrate the strength of feeling on the issue, with more than 7,000 members polled on a 75% turnout.

Main points
  • Actors have voted to refuse digital scanning to prevent their likeness being used by artificial intelligence in a pushback against AI in the arts.
  • Members of the performing arts union Equity were asked if they would refuse to be scanned while on set, a common practice in which actors’ likeness is captured for future use, with 99% voting in favour of the move.
  • The general secretary, Paul Fleming, said: “Artificial intelligence is a generation-defining challenge.
Gain

UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI: Bonneville said actors’ likenesses and voices should not be “exploited for the benefit of others without licence or consent”, while Lester said actors at the start of their careers often found it difficult to push back against body scanning.

Problem

The decision comes after months of debate and growing concern about performers’ rights as AI becomes embedded in the creative industries, with high-profile actors urging Equity members to support the push to stop digital scanning.

The rundown

The general secretary, Paul Fleming, said: “Artificial intelligence is a generation-defining challenge. And for the first time in a generation, Equity’s film and TV members have shown that they are willing to take industrial action.

What this doesn’t fix

Machine-ingested summary: the claims above reflect a single primary source and have not been weighed against contradicting evidence by a Truvace editor yet.

Sources

The debate